In-stream controls for national video distribution

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for delivering regional content for a lineup over a national network. A content provider may select a particular regional broadcast for inclusion in a regional service lineup. The content provider may be able to broadcast multiple, or even all, services nationally. At regional distribution centers, a multiplexer may select only those services that are desired for the region in response to in-stream signals. In some instances, a single region-specific version of a given service may be selected from multiple versions broadcasted nationally. The regional lineup, including the selected services, can then be multiplexed and transmitted to customers throughout the region.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of alternative video feeds for a client stream, wherein the plurality of alternative video feeds comprises: (a) a first alternative video feed that comprises data indicating that feed to be a primary stream, and (b) a second alternative video feed that comprises data indicating that feed to be provided during a regional blackout in one of a plurality of regions; 
 determining that the client stream is for a first region of the plurality of regions; 
 determining whether to select the first alternative video or the second alternative video feed as a selected video feed, based on blackout data for the first region of the plurality of regions; and 
 sending, as the client stream, the selected video feed. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data indicating that feed to be a primary stream comprises at least one of a target audience, a content type, and a content rating. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data indicating that feed to be provided during a regional blackout comprises at least one of a region, a transmission channel, and a time slot. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring the selecting of a substitute video feed; and 
 storing descriptive data of the monitoring in a log. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of alternative video feeds comprises a constant bitrate. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein selecting a substitute video feed comprises determining that the substitute video feed has a constant bitrate less than or equal to the other alternative feeds of the plurality of alternative video feeds. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein data indicating that feed to be provided during a regional blackout comprises in-stream messaging. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of alternative video feeds comprises instructions for a blackout of the alternative video feed content. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein determining whether to select the first alternative video or the second alternative video feed as the selected video feed comprises determining which of the plurality of alternative video feeds does not comprise instructions for a blackout of the alternative video feed content. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the plurality of alternative video feeds is performed by a multiplexer and the method further comprises:
 comparing the descriptive data of each of the plurality of alternative video feeds to service lineup data; 
 determining, based on the comparing, at least one of the plurality of alternative video feeds should comprises instructions for a blackout; and 
 inserting, at the multiplexer, instructions for the blackout into the at least one of the plurality of alternative video feeds. 
 
     
     
       11. A system comprising:
 a communication port; 
 a memory storing instructions; and 
 control circuitry communicably coupled to the memory and the communication port and configured to execute the instructions to:
 receive a plurality of alternative video feeds for a client stream, wherein the plurality of alternative video feeds comprises: (a) a first alternative video feed that comprises data indicating that feed to be a primary stream, and (b) a second alternative video feed that comprises data indicating that feed to be provided during a regional blackout in one of a plurality of regions; 
 determine that the client stream is for a first region of the plurality of regions; 
 determine whether to select the first alternative video or the second alternative video feed as a selected video feed, based on blackout data for the first region of the plurality of regions; and 
 send, as the client stream, the selected video feed. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to receive the data indicating that feed to be a primary stream that comprises at least one of a target audience, a content type, and a content rating. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein control circuitry is further configured to receive the data indicating that feed to be provided during a regional blackout that comprises at least one of a region, a transmission channel, and a time slot. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 monitor the selecting of a substitute video feed; and 
 store descriptive data of the monitoring in a log. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine each of the plurality of alternative video feeds comprises a constant bitrate. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to select a substitute video feed by determining that the substitute video feed has a constant bitrate less than or equal to the other alternative feeds of the plurality of alternative video feeds. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to receive one or more of the plurality of alternative video feeds that comprises instructions for a blackout of the alternative video feed content. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine whether to select the first alternative video or the second alternative video feed as the selected video feed by determining which of the plurality of alternative video feeds does not comprise instructions for a blackout of the alternative video feed content. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to perform the receiving of the plurality of alternative video feeds by a multiplexer and the control circuitry is further configured to:
 compare the descriptive data of each of the plurality of alternative video feeds to service lineup data; 
 determine, based on the comparing, at least one of the plurality of alternative video feeds should comprises instructions for a blackout; and 
 insert, at the multiplexer, instructions for the blackout into the at least one of the plurality of alternative video feeds. 
 
     
     
       20. An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 memory storing computer-readable instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
 receive a plurality of alternative video feeds for a client stream, wherein the plurality of alternative video feeds comprises: (a) a first alternative video feed that comprises data indicating that feed to be a primary stream, and (b) a second alternative video feed that comprises data indicating that feed to be provided during a regional blackout in one of a plurality of regions; 
 determine that the client stream is for a first region of the plurality of regions; 
 determine whether to select the first alternative video or the second alternative video feed as a selected video feed, based on blackout data for the first region of the plurality of regions; and 
 send, as the client stream, the selected video feed.